scholarly journals Emerging roles for folate and related B-vitamins in brain health across the lifecycle

2014 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. McGarel ◽  
K. Pentieva ◽  
J. J. Strain ◽  
H. McNulty
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Later Life ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Functional Development ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
Regional Brain Atrophy ◽  
Relevant Gene

Nutrition plays a fundamental role in supporting the structural and functional development of the human brain from conception, throughout early infancy and extending into later life. A growing body of evidence suggests that folate and the metabolically related B-vitamins are essential for brain health across all age groups, owing to their specific roles in C1 metabolism and particularly in the production of S-adenosylmethionine, a universal methyl donor essential for the production of neurotransmitters. Emerging, though not entirely consistent, evidence suggests that maternal folate status throughout pregnancy may influence neurodevelopment and behaviour of the offspring. Furthermore optimal B-vitamin status is associated with better cognitive health in ageing. Of note, a recent clinical trial provided evidence that supplementation with folic acid and related B-vitamins over a 2-year-period reduced global and regional brain atrophy, as measured by MRI scan in older adults. In terms of potential mechanisms, the effects of these B-vitamins on cognitive health may be independent or may be mediated by nutrient–nutrient and/or relevant gene–nutrient interactions. Furthermore, a new area of research suggests that the in utero environment influences health in later life. Folate, an important cofactor in C1 metabolism, is indirectly involved in DNA methylation, which in turn is considered to be one of the epigenetic mechanisms that may underlie fetal programming and brain development. The present review will explore the evidence that supports a role for folate and the related B-vitamins in brain health across the lifecycle, and potential mechanisms to explain such effects.

scholarly journals Nutrition and the psychoneuroimmunology of postpartum depression

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. Ellsworth-Bowers ◽  
E. J. Corwin
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Trace Minerals ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
Micronutrient Status ◽  
B Vitamin

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a relatively common and often severe mood disorder that develops in women after childbirth. The aetiology of PPD is unclear, although there is emerging evidence to suggest a psychoneuroimmune connection. Additionally, deficiencies in n-3 PUFA, B vitamins, vitamin D and trace minerals have been implicated. This paper reviews evidence for a link between micronutrient status and PPD, analysing the potential contribution of each micronutrient to psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms of PPD. Articles related to PPD and women's levels of n-3 PUFA, B vitamins, vitamin D and the trace minerals Zn and Se were reviewed. Findings suggest that while n-3 PUFA levels have been shown to vary inversely with PPD and link with psychoneuroimmunology, there is mixed evidence regarding the ability of n-3 PUFA to prevent or treat PPD. B vitamin status is not clearly linked to PPD, even though it seems to vary inversely with depression in non-perinatal populations and may have an impact on immunity. Vitamin D and the trace minerals Zn and Se are linked to PPD and psychoneuroimmunology by intriguing, but small, studies. Overall, evidence suggests that certain micronutrient deficiencies contribute to the development of PPD, possibly through psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms. Developing a better understanding of these mechanisms is important for guiding future research, clinical practice and health education regarding PPD.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Acute Postprandial Circulating B-Vitamin and Vitamer Responses to Single Breakfast Meals in Young and Older Individuals: Preliminary Secondary Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaja Sharma ◽  
Nicola Gillies ◽  
Shikha Pundir ◽  
Chantal A. Pileggi ◽  
James F. Markworth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Pantothenic Acid ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Flavin Mononucleotide ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
B Vitamin

B-vitamin deficiency is common in ageing populations either due to altered dietary habits or altered digestive and metabolic functions. There is limited data on the acute circulating concentrations of B-vitamins and their various forms (vitamers), following ingestion of realistic meals. This study compared the acute circulating B-vitamin and vitamer responses to either an energy-dense (ED) or a nutrient-dense (ND) breakfast meal, consumed in a randomized cross-over sequence, in older and younger adults (n = 15 and 15, aged 67.3 ± 1.5 and 22.7 ± 0.5 years (mean ± SEM), respectively). Eleven differing B-vitamins and vitamers were determined in plasma samples by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, in the fasting and postprandial state (hourly for 5 h). While postprandial thiamine concentration increased following both meals, riboflavin increased only following a ND meal in both age groups. Many vitamins including nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, pyridoxal-5’phosphate, and 4-pyridoxic acid remained unaltered, and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), nicotinamide and nicotinuric acid concentrations reduced following both meals. Biological age and food composition had minimal impact on postprandial B-vitamin concentrations, yet the differences between the ED and ND meals for riboflavin highlight the importance of riboflavin intake to achieve adequacy.

Biochemical indexes of the B vitamins in cord serum are predicted by maternal B vitamin status

2005 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rima Obeid ◽  
Winfried Munz ◽  
Monika Jäger ◽  
Werner Schmidt ◽  
Wolfgang Herrmann
Keyword(s):  
B Vitamins ◽  
Cord Serum ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
B Vitamin

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Fortified Drink in Improving B Vitamin Biomarkers in Older Adults: A Controlled Intervention Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Heffernan ◽  
Leanne C Doherty ◽  
Roberta Hack Mendes ◽  
Michelle Clarke ◽  
Stephanie Hodge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
To Receive

Abstract BackgroundOlder adults are reported to have sub-optimal B vitamin status; targeted food-based solutions may help to address this. The objectives of the OptiAge food intervention study were to develop and investigate the effectiveness of a B vitamin-fortified drink in improving B vitamin biomarkers in older Irish adults with a primary outcome of change in B vitamin biomarker concentrations.MethodsA multicentre double-blind randomised controlled trial was performed in University College Dublin and Ulster University. Participants aged > 50 years were recruited following screening for exclusion criteria i.e. taking medications known to interfere with B vitamin metabolism, supplements containing B vitamins, consuming >4 portions of B-vitamin fortified foods per week or diagnosed with gastrointestinal, liver or pulmonary disease. Recruited participants were randomised with gender and centre as factors in the randomisation to receive either B vitamin-fortified or placebo drinks (developed by Smartfish, Norway) daily for 16 weeks.ResultsA total of 95 participants were randomised, of which 81 commenced the trial. Of these, 70 completed - 37 in the active and 33 in the placebo groups. Intention to treat (ITT) analysis of the B vitamins demonstrated a significant improvement in all B vitamins biomarkers in the active compared to placebo groups (p<0.01 for Folate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, and Riboflavin). A significant lowering of plasma homocysteine from 11.9 (10.3-15.1) µmol/L to 10.6 (9.4-13.0) µmol/L (functional marker of B vitamin status) was also observed in response to the active treatment (P<0.001). Similar results were seen in a per-protocol analysis.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that a B vitamin-fortified drink was effective in optimising B vitamin status, making this a useful intervention strategy to improve B vitamin status in older adults. Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN61709781. - Retrospectively registered, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN61709781

scholarly journals B-vitamin status in relation to cognitive health over 4 years in healthy older adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 73 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. F. Hughes ◽  
M. Ward ◽  
L. Hoey ◽  
F. Tracy ◽  
A. Molloy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
B Vitamin

scholarly journals Nutritional aspects and possible pathological mechanisms of hyperhomocysteinaemia: an independent risk factor for vascular disease

2000 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle C. McKinley
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Vascular Disease ◽  
Independent Risk Factor ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Vascular Toxicity ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
The Status ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
The Relationship

Numerous case–control and prospective studies have identified elevated plasma homocysteine as a strong independent risk factor for cerebovascular, cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease. Homocysteine is formed as a result of the breakdown of the dietary amino acid methionine. Once formed, homocysteine is either remethylated to methionine, or undergoes a trans-sulfuration reaction to form cysteine. The re-methylation of homocysteine to methionine is dependent on three B-vitamins, i.e. riboflavin, vitamin B12and folate. The second pathway of homocysteine metabolism is the trans-sulfuration pathway which requires both vitamin B6and riboflavin for its activity. Thus, up to four B-vitamins are required for intracellular homocysteine metabolism. Many studies have noted strong inverse relationships between homocysteine levels and the status of both vitamin B12and folate. However, the relationship between vitamin B6status and homocysteine is still uncertain. Similarly, numerous intervention studies have demonstrated effective lowering of homocysteine levels as a result of folate and vitamin B12supplementation, while the homocysteine-lowering ability of vitamin B6is unclear. Even though riboflavin plays a crucial role in both the trans-sulfuration and remethylation pathways of homocysteine metabolism, the relationship between riboflavin status and homocysteine levels has not been investigated. The exact mechanism that explains the vascular toxicity of elevated homocysteine levels is unknown at present, studies indicate that it is both atherogenic and thrombogenic. To date, no randomized clinical trial has demonstrated that lowering of homocysteine levels is beneficial in terms of reducing the prevalence of vascular disease. It is probable, however, that optimal B-vitamin status is important in the prevention of vascular disease.

scholarly journals B-vitamins and bone in health and disease: the current evidence

2014 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 330-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Clarke ◽  
M. Ward ◽  
J. J. Strain ◽  
L. Hoey ◽  
W. Dickey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Risk ◽  
Coeliac Disease ◽  
Bone Health ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
B Vitamin

Osteoporosis, a metabolic skeletal disease characterised by decreased bone mass and increased fracture risk, is a growing public health problem. Among the various risk factors for osteoporosis, calcium and vitamin D have well-established protective roles, but it is likely that other nutritional factors are also implicated. This review will explore the emerging evidence supporting a role for certain B-vitamins, homocysteine and the 677C→T polymorphism in the gene encoding the folate-metabolising enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, in bone health and disease. The evidence, however, is not entirely consistent and as yet no clear mechanism has been defined to explain the potential link between B-vitamins and bone health. Coeliac disease, a common condition of malabsorption, induced by gluten ingestion in genetically susceptible individuals, is associated with an increased risk both of osteoporosis and inadequate B-vitamin status. Given the growing body of evidence linking low bone mineral density and/or increased fracture risk with low B-vitamin status and elevated homocysteine, optimal B-vitamin status may play an important protective role against osteoporosis in coeliac disease; to date, no trial has addressed this possible link.

Biochemical indexes of the B vitamins in cord serum are predicted by maternal B vitamin status

2005 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-139
Author(s):  
Rima Obeid ◽  
Winfried Munz ◽  
Monika Jäger ◽  
Werner Schmidt ◽  
Wolfgang Herrmann
Keyword(s):  
B Vitamins ◽  
Cord Serum ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
B Vitamin

Comparative Review of the Thiochrome, Microbial and Protozoan Analyses of B-Vitamins

1978 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 730-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL N. VOIGT ◽  
RONALD R. EITENMILLER
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Pantothenic Acid ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Food Samples ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
Comparative Review ◽  
Specific Stimulation ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
Vitamin Analysis

A comparative review of the specificities of various B-vitamin analysis methods is presented. Methods of vitamin analysis employing protozoa, viz. Tetrahymena and Ochromonas, are compared to the commonly used methods of vitamin assay, including officially accepted methods. Since 1968 the protozoan techniques have routinely been used to evaluate clinical vitamin status. This is due to their more mammalian-like response to the various forms of the vitamins that occur in natural materials. Protozoa have more developed ingestive and digestive systems than bacteria and yeast, which allow them to respond to conjugated forms of the vitamins (e.g. thiamin pyrophosphate and folic acid polyglutamates). Also, fewer problems are encountered with non-specific stimulation (e.g. fatty acid stimulation of the Lactobacillus casei assay for riboflavin or the sparing of the vitamin B12 requirement of Lactobacillus leichmannii by deoxyribosides). Application of the protozoan methods to analysis of foods indicate significantly lower levels of biotin and vitamin B12 than official methods, while significantly higher levels of riboflavin, vitamin B6, niacin and pantothenic acid are found in low-acid foods. This review also summarizes extraction methods for the B-vitamins from food samples and indicates the importance of enzymatic hydrolysis in extract preparation.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a fortified drink in improving B vitamin biomarkers in older adults: a controlled intervention trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Heffernan ◽  
Leanne C. Doherty ◽  
Roberta Hack Mendes ◽  
Michelle Clarke ◽  
Stephanie Hodge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Vitamin B6 ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
B Vitamin

Abstract Background Older adults are reported to have sub-optimal B vitamin status; targeted food-based solutions may help to address this. The objectives of the OptiAge food intervention study were to develop and investigate the effectiveness of a B vitamin-fortified drink in improving B vitamin biomarkers in older Irish adults with a primary outcome of change in the B vitamin biomarker status. Methods A double-blinded randomised controlled trial was performed in parallel at University College Dublin and Ulster University. Participants aged > 50 years were recruited following screening for exclusion criteria (i.e. taking medications known to interfere with B vitamin metabolism, supplements containing B vitamins, consuming > 4 portions of B vitamin-fortified foods per week or diagnosed with gastrointestinal, liver or pulmonary disease). Recruited participants meeting the inclusion criteria were randomised (by sex and study centre) to receive daily for 16 weeks either B vitamin-fortified or placebo drinks as developed by Smartfish, Norway. Each B vitamin-fortified drink (200 ml) contained 200 µg folic acid, 10 µg vitamin B12, 10 mg vitamin B6 and 5 mg riboflavin, while the placebo was an identical, isocaloric formulation without added B vitamins. Fasting blood samples were collected pre- and post-intervention which were used to measure the primary outcome of change in B vitamin biomarker levels. Results A total of 95 participants were randomised, of which 81 commenced the trial. Of these, 70 completed (37 in the active and 33 in the placebo groups). Intention to treat (ITT) analysis of the B vitamins demonstrated a significant improvement in all B vitamin biomarkers in the active compared to placebo groups: p < 0.01 for each of serum folate, serum vitamin B12 and plasma pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (vitamin B6) and the functional riboflavin biomarker, erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRac). Correspondingly, a significant lowering of serum homocysteine from 11.9 (10.3–15.1) µmol/L to 10.6 (9.4–13.0) µmol/L was observed in response to the active treatment (P < 0.001). Similar results were seen in a per-protocol analysis. Conclusions The results demonstrate that a B vitamin-fortified drink was effective in optimising B vitamin status, making this a useful intervention option to improve B vitamin status in older adults. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN61709781—Retrospectively registered, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN61709781

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document